This article is part of our FanDuel MLB series.
PITCHER:
Danny Duffy, KC vs. CWS ($9,700): With a light slate of games and a dearth of reliable options, choosing the right pitcher will be crucial. Enter Danny Duffy and his 2.87 ERA, 0.99 WHIP, and insane 29.3 percent K rate since June 1. Duffy faces an uninspiring White Sox offense (.309 wOBA) that's whiffed at a 22.7 percent rate against lefties. Add in Duffy's fair price and a matchup in the pitcher-friendly confines of Kaufman Stadium, and Duffy represents a perfect low-floor play with an incredibly high ceiling.
CATCHER:
Yadier Molina, STL at CHC ($2,800): Catcher is a barren wasteland. The options are just gross. However, Molina presents a nice upside play for a minimal investment. He has been swinging a hot bat for a while now - .395 wOBA, .188 ISO since July 1 - and while the matchup with Jon Lester isn't ideal, the lefty has been worse against right-handed bats and has a 6.21 ERA since July 1.
FIRST BASE:
Freddie Freeman, ATL at MIL ($3,400): Despite languishing in an atrocious Braves offense, Freeman continues to produce - .358 wOBA, .256 ISO since July 1 - yet still remains a value as the ninth-highest priced first baseman available. In addition, Freeman has always hit righties well (career .377 wOBA, .206 ISO) and faces a terrible one in Matt Garza, who has allowed a .352 wOBA to left-handed batters.
SECOND BASE:
Ryan Schimpf, SD at PIT ($2,900): This is a boom-or-bust play, as Schimpf doesn't provide much outside of power; but oh the power. The 28-year-old has done the vast majority of his damage against right-handed pitchers (.371 wOBA, .336 ISO) and faces rookie Jameson Taillon, who's been solid but has struggled against left-handed hitters (.336 wOBA allowed) and has issued too many long balls (1.2 per nine innings pitched), which of course, plays right into Schimpf's wheelhouse.
THIRD BASE:
Jake Lamb, ARI at NYM ($2,700): Ok. I get it. Lamb is facing Noah Syndergaard. He's good and all that, but pricing Lamb this low is insane. After a brief slump, Lamb is back to crushing baseballs - three homers in the last week - and he's owned right-handed pitchers with an insane .421 wOBA and .329 ISO against them. With numbers like that, Lamb is a must-play at this price, regardless of the opponent; and oh by the way, while he is amazing, Thor has been somewhat mortal against left-handed hitters (.319 wOBA allowed).
SHORTSTOP:
Elvis Andrus, TEX vs. COL ($2,700): Outside of the most expensive options, shortstop is incredibly thin, with Andrus standing out as the lone value amidst a sea of sadness. The 27-year-old has been hitting the ball well - .330 batting average, .361 wOBA since July 1 - but is still priced modestly. Furthermore, he faces Chad Bettis, who has a 5.13 ERA and 1.44 WHIP while allowing a .353 wOBA to right-handed hitters.
OUTFIELD:
Mark Trumbo, BAL at OAK ($3,400): Trumbo has cooled down a little, but he is still tied for the MLB lead in home runs (31) and has continued to prey on right-handed pitching (.371 wOBA, .261 ISO). He next faces Andrew Triggs, who's sporting a hefty 5.35 ERA and 1.57 WHIP, not to mention a .359 wOBA allowed to right-handed bats.
David Dahl, COL at TEX ($3,200): Dahl is a hitting machine. The rookie has done nothing but hit since getting called up to the bigs, rocking an impressive .429 wOBA and .237 ISO in the 16 games he's played. The left-handed slugger faces righty Lucas Harrell, who's simply not very good at pitching. If that weren't enough, Dahl is reasonably priced and has a .304 ISO against righties.
Tyler Naquin, CLE vs. LAA ($2,700): Am I missing something here? Why is Naquin so cheap? The 25-year-old is murdering right-handed pitching (.419 wOBA, .292 ISO) and faces Jhoulys Chacin and his 5.27 ERA and 1.46 WHIP. Naquin is my favorite play of the day, unless I actually am missing something and I just don't know it (Note from the author: I'm not missing anything).
